In today’s article, we’ll explore how the Most High (TMH) views lying. While the answer might seem straightforward, some believe that TMH condones lying in certain situations. Additionally, there are Israelite camps that teach it is acceptable for Israelites to lie to other nations or Gentiles. Together, we’ll examine whether lying is ever justifiable according to scripture.
Pro 6:16-19 KJV 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
The Most High explicitly lists six things He hates, with the seventh being an abomination. Among these, the second thing He hate is a lying tongue, showing a clear condemnation of dishonesty. In fact, scripture highlights two instances where the Most High specifically states His hatred for liars. The seventh abomination, which goes even further, is sowing discord among brethren.
Tit 1:2-3 KJV 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
It is impossible for the Most High to lie, for whatever He declares will inevitably come to pass.
Isa 55:11 KJV]11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.
The lying prophets in 1 kings 22
1Ki 22:19-20 KJV 19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. 20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
The Most High is depicted on His throne, surrounded by the counsel of angels, as He considers who will persuade King Ahab to go up and fall at Ramothgilead.
1Ki 22:21-23 KJV 21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. 22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade [him], and prevail also: go forth, and do so. 23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
The Most High permits a lying spirit to accomplish His purpose, as described in scripture. This presents a challenge for understanding, as the Bible clearly states that the Most High does not condone lying.
2Th 2:8-10 KJV 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Many people reject the truth of the Most High’s word because it doesn’t align with their desires or lifestyles. Rather than embracing what can lead to salvation, they choose to follow their own ways, turning away from the love of the truth.
2Th 2:11 KJV 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
When people choose to reject the truth, the Most High allows them to follow their own misguided thoughts. He sends a strong delusion, leaving them to believe lies that align with their rebellious hearts. This is not because He condones deception but because they have willfully turned away from His word, preferring falsehood over truth.
1Ki 22:23 KJV 23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
The Most High allowed a lying spirit to influence Ahab’s prophets specifically, not all prophets. This distinction is crucial, as it shows the intentionality of His actions in bringing judgment upon Ahab for his rebellion.
1Ki 22:3 KJV 3 And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?
Ahab, the king of the northern kingdom, declared to his servants that they should claim the land of Ramoth in Gilead, which was under Syrian control. He questioned why they had not already taken possession of it, expressing his desire to reclaim the territory.
1 Kings 22:4-5 KJV — And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses. And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.
Jehoshaphat agreed to join Ahab in the battle for Ramoth in Gilead, showing unity and support. However, before moving forward, Jehoshaphat insisted that they first seek the Most High’s guidance to ensure they were following His will.
1 Kings 22:6 KJV — Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
Ahab’s prophets didn’t genuinely seek the Most High for guidance. Instead, they simply told the king what he wanted to hear, assuring him that everything would go well.
1 Kings 22:7-8 KJV — And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him? And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, wasn’t satisfied with the answers from Ahab’s prophets because they weren’t providing the truth from the Most High. He asked if there was another prophet they could consult to get a genuine answer.
1 Kings 22:9-12 KJV Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah. And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them. And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king’s hand.
All of Ahab’s prophets told him exactly what he wanted to hear, giving him false reassurance that he would be victorious in the battle. Ahab’s prophets prioritized pleasing the king rather than delivering a true word from the Most High. Their goal wasn’t to seek or speak the truth, but to feed Ahab’s desires with flattering words.
1 Kings 22:13-14 KJV — And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good. And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.
The messenger who was sent to bring Micaiah tried to persuade him to deliver a favorable message to the king, just as the other prophets had done. He urged Micaiah to align his words with theirs and speak only good things to please the king. Micaiah stood firm, refusing to compromise the truth. He made it clear that he would only speak what the Most High revealed to him, no matter how unpopular or unwelcome it might be.
1 Kings 22:15 KJV — So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
When Micaiah arrived, he initially responded sarcastically, telling Ahab exactly what he wanted to hear. However, Ahab quickly realized Micaiah wasn’t being sincere and called him out on it. He knew Ahab wasn’t genuinely seeking the truth but only wanted confirmation of his own desires.
1 Kings 22:16-18 KJV — And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD? And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?
Micaiah eventually told Ahab the truth about what would happen, revealing a vision of Israel scattered like sheep without a shepherd, symbolizing Ahab’s defeat and death. As expected, Ahab didn’t want to hear it. No matter what was said, Ahab was unwilling to accept the truth because it didn’t align with his desires.
Ahab wasn’t interested in the truth from the Most High. Instead, he wanted reassurance that his plans would succeed, even if it meant ignoring The most high warning.
1 Kings 22:19-23 KJV — And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
The lying spirit was sent to Ahab’s prophets because Ahab refused to accept the truth. Since he was determined to hear what he wanted, the Most High allowed him to be deceived, giving him over to his own desires and sealing his judgment.
John 14:17 KJV — Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
The Most High sends the Spirit of truth to guide those who follow Him, but the world rejects it. Many people are unwilling to accept the truth because it challenges their ways and beliefs. However, the Spirit is available to those who love the Most High and keep His commandments.
1 Kings 13:12-17 KJV — And their father said unto them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah. And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon, And went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, Art thou the man of God that camest from Judah? And he said, I am. Then he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread. And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place: For it was said to me by the word of the LORD, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest.
The Most High gave the prophet clear and specific instructions: he was not to eat, drink, or do anything outside of what the Most High had commanded. These were straightforward orders that the prophet was expected to follow without compromise.
1 Kings 13:18 KJV — He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.
The old prophet deceived the man of God by claiming he had received a message from the Most High through an angel. He told the man of God to return with him to eat and drink, even though this directly contradicted the original command from the Most High.
1 Kings 13:19-23 KJV — So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water. And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back: And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee, But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers. And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back.
1 Kings 13:23-26 KJV — And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back. And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase. And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake unto him.
The old prophet who lied to the man of God was later given a true word from the Most High. He was instructed to tell the man of God that judgment would come upon him for disobeying the clear command of the Most High. Despite the deception, the man of God bore responsibility for straying from what he was originally told.
While others may mislead, each person is ultimately accountable for obeying the word of the Most High. The prophet’s failure to stay true to the original command cost him his life.
Why didn’t the most high judged the lying prophet?
Romans 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
The case of Abraham and Isaac, did they lie?
Genesis 12:10-13 KJV — And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
Here we see Abram telling Sarai to claimed she is his sister.
Genesis 26:6-7 KJV — And Isaac dwelt in Gerar: And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.
Same thing for Isaac.
These verse don’t directly state that either Abraham or Isaac lied. In Abraham’s case, Sarai was technically his half-sister, so his statement wasn’t entirely untrue. Instead, he strategically chose to withhold certain details to navigate a dangerous situation. Isaac similarly acted out of self-preservation in a hostile environment.
Acts 4:32-35 KJV — And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
The believers shared everything they had, ensuring that no one among them was in need. They practiced unity, generosity, and selflessness, creating a environment where resources were distributed according to each person’s need.
Acts 4:36-37 KJV — And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
The Levites traditionally lived off the contributions and tithes of the other tribes, as they were dedicated to serving the Most High. However, in this passage, we see a Levite named Joses, also called Barnabas, going beyond what was expected of him. Instead of relying on others, he sold his own land and gave the proceeds to support the believers
Acts 5:1-3 KJV — But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Ananias, along with his wife Sapphira, agreed to sell their property and give all the proceeds to support the believers
Acts 5:4-6 KJV — Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
Ananias faced immediate judgment for his deceit. His lie wasn’t just to men but to the Most High, and as a result, he was struck down and died on the spot.
Acts 5:7-11 KJV — And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Ananias’s wife, Sapphira, also faced judgment for participating in the lie. Unaware of her husband’s death, she came before Peter, who questioned her about the sale of the land. She confirmed the false amount, and Peter confronted her for conspiring with her husband to deceive the Spirit of the Lord. As a result, she too was struck down and died.
Col 3:9 KJV 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Jhn 8:44 KJV 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Satan is the father of lies, not the Most High. While
Rev 21:25-27 KJV 25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Rev 22:14-15 KJV 14 Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Lying has no place in the kingdom of heaven. Scripture makes it clear that those who practice deceit or live in falsehood will not enter the holy city. Only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life and live in obedience to the Most High’s commandments will have the right to the tree of life and entry into the kingdom.
I pray you find this edifying, don’t forget to subscribe to the website to get notifications of new topics/breakdowns, shalom.
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